PowerToys 0.90 Command Palette: What’s New

PowerToys 0.90 introduced a new Command Palette feature, a quick-launch tool that lets you search and run actions across PowerToys utilities and your system. You open it with a customizable shortcut, type a command name, and pick a result to execute it. This article explains what the Command Palette does, how to set it up, and what problems you might run into.

Background: What Is PowerToys 0.90?

PowerToys is a free set of utilities from Microsoft for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It includes tools like FancyZones (window layouts), PowerRename (bulk file renaming), and Keyboard Manager (remap keys). Version 0.90 is a regular release that added the Command Palette as a new utility. Before 0.90, there was no single place to trigger actions across PowerToys; you had to open each tool separately. The Command Palette fills that gap by giving you a unified search box.

How the Command Palette Works

The Command Palette is essentially a launcher. You press a hotkey (default is Ctrl+Win+Space), and a small window appears at the top of your screen. You type a phrase like “renameâ€� or “layoutâ€�, and it shows matching actions. Selecting one runs it immediately. For example, typing “PowerRenameâ€� and pressing Enter opens the PowerRename window. You can also search for system commands like “Open Settingsâ€� or “Lock PCâ€�.

The palette reads from a list of available commands that PowerToys registers. Each utility contributes its own set of actions. For instance, FancyZones adds “Edit zones� and “Toggle zones visibility�. The palette also includes a few generic Windows commands, such as “Shut down� and “Restart�. You can’t add your own custom commands in 0.90; that’s a planned feature for a later version.

Setting Up the Command Palette

After installing PowerToys 0.90, the Command Palette is enabled by default. To change its settings:

• Open PowerToys Settings (from the system tray icon or Start menu).
• Select “Command Paletteâ€� from the left sidebar.
• Toggle “Enable Command Paletteâ€� if it’s off.
• Change the activation shortcut by clicking the pencil icon next to “Activation shortcutâ€�.
• Choose whether the palette should show on all monitors or just the primary one.

If you prefer a different hotkey, set it to something that doesn’t conflict with other apps. For example, Alt+Space is used by some launchers, so you might want to avoid that.

Common Problems and Fixes

Users report a few issues with the Command Palette in 0.90. Here are the most frequent ones and how to resolve them:

• Palette doesn’t open with the hotkey – Check that no other program is using the same shortcut. Also, make sure PowerToys is running (look for the icon in the system tray). Restart PowerToys if necessary.
• Search results are slow – This can happen if you have many PowerToys utilities enabled. Try disabling ones you don’t use from the Settings page.
• Some commands are missing – Ensure the corresponding utility is enabled. For example, if you don’t see FancyZones commands, turn on FancyZones in Settings.
• Palette appears behind other windows – This is a known bug in early 0.90 builds. Update to the latest version of PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store.

Comparison with Other Launchers

PowerToys Command Palette is not the first launcher for Windows. Tools like PowerToys Run (also part of PowerToys) and third-party apps like Everything or Wox have existed for years. The key difference is that Command Palette focuses on actions, not file search. PowerToys Run is for launching apps and searching files; Command Palette is for executing commands within PowerToys. They complement each other. If you need to open a specific document, use PowerToys Run. If you want to trigger a PowerToys feature, use Command Palette.

Why Use It Instead of Clicking?

The main benefit is speed. Instead of right-clicking a file and scrolling to “PowerRename�, you press a hotkey and type “rename�. That’s two keystrokes versus several mouse clicks. For frequent PowerToys users, it saves time. Also, it’s keyboard-friendly, which helps people who prefer not to use a mouse. The palette is also accessible – you can navigate with arrow keys and press Enter to select.

Limitations in Version 0.90

As a first release, the Command Palette has limits. You cannot create custom commands or macros. There’s no plugin system yet. The list of built-in commands is fixed. Also, the palette only shows commands from enabled PowerToys utilities – if you disable a utility, its commands disappear. Another limitation: it doesn’t support fuzzy matching as well as some other launchers. For example, typing “pr� might not match “PowerRename� unless you type the full word. Microsoft has said they plan to improve this in future updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install PowerToys 0.90?
You can download it from the official Microsoft PowerToys GitHub releases page or install it via the Microsoft Store. The Store version updates automatically, while the GitHub version requires manual updates.

Is Command Palette available in older versions of PowerToys?
No. It was introduced in version 0.90. If you have an older version, update to get the Command Palette.

Can I change the default hotkey?
Yes. Go to PowerToys Settings → Command Palette → Activation shortcut. Click the pencil icon, press the new key combination, and it will be saved.

Does Command Palette work on Windows 10?
Yes, PowerToys supports Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, and Windows 11. The Command Palette works on both.

Why don’t I see the Command Palette in Settings?
Make sure you have installed version 0.90 or later. If you have, try restarting PowerToys. If it still doesn’t appear, check that the PowerToys process isn’t blocked by antivirus software.

Can I add my own commands?
Not in version 0.90. Custom commands are a planned feature for a future release. For now, you’re limited to the built-in ones.

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